Focus Group discussion at Gullalamoda, Krinshna District, Andra Pradesh Citation: Muralidhar, M., Kumaran, M., Jayanthi, M., Muniyandi, B., Ponniah, A.G., Nagothu, U.S., White, P. and Eknath, A. (2012). Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for shrimp farming in India: Adaptation measures for small-scale shrimp farmers. Aquaclimate Project, Technical Brief, 8 pp. TECHNICAL BRIEF Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for shrimp farming in India: Adaptation measures for small scale shrimp farmers Restricted circulation and subjected to revision SHRIMP FARM ADAPTATION MEASURES SHRIMP FARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE Ø STRENGTHEN AND INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF POND DYKES AND FARM BUNDS: Increasing the strength and This technical brief summarises the results on shrimp exports causing income losses to height of pond dykes and perimeter bunds will help reduce damage and escape of shrimp due to cyclones, from the interdisciplinary and multi farmers in the region. storm surges and floods. Making soft loans and incentives available to farmers, particularly after extreme stakeholder participatory study conducted weather events will facilitate this work. Ninety four percent of the total developed area within the Aquaclimate project in Krishna for shrimp farming (representing 93.4% of Ø FOLLOW EXISTING BETTER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs) FOR SHRIMP AQUACULTURE: Existing BMPs for District, Andhra Pradesh, India, looking at the shrimp farming can reduce the adverse impacts of climate change. Maintaining good soil and water quality farmers) in Andhra Pradesh State is of holdings impacts of climate change and adaptation and efficient feeding practices improves the health status of the shrimp, which makes them better able to less than 2 hectares in size. Scientific shrimp measures in the shrimp farming sector. The cope with environmental fluctuations. Farmers should follow bio-security protocols such as installation of farming generates a maximum of around 650 bird and crab fencing, pre-treatment of water with filtration and use of holding reservoirs, appropriate brief further provides guidelines for adaptation person-days per hectare per annum. stocking densities and use of quality seed that has been screened for disease. Following BMPs will also measure that can be undertaken by the farmers help farmers to protect their production and income, so that they will be in a position to take other together with the institutional, policy and Impacts of climate change on shrimp farming actions when the need arises. Scientific institutions, Department of Fisheries and National Center for science and technology support for improving Sustainable Aquaculture should popularise BMPs and support farmers in their implementation. The Andhra Pradesh coast is known for its their adaptive capacity to cope with future Ø USE OF ELECTRICITY FOR WATER PUMPING AND PROVIDING AERATION DURING WEATHER DISTURBANCE frequent tropical cyclones and tidal surges climate change. SITUATIONS: Farmers should replace diesel pumps and aerators with electric ones to reduce production causing loss of life and property in the region. cost and increase their technical and economic efficiency. Government should install electricity supply lines and ensure the continuous supply of electricity to farmers at low tariff. Significance of shrimp farming The segment of Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Machilipatnam is most vulnerable to Ø MAINTENANCE OF BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN THE FARMS AND WATER SOURCE FOR PROTECTION TO FARMS Andhra Pradesh state contributes more than high storm surges which are a regular feature in AGAINST CYCLONES AND STORM SURGES: Planting mangroves in buffer zones can help protect farms from half of India's shrimp production and has been in the Bay of Bengal. In this century alone, the floods, storm surge and other extreme weather events. the forefront since the beginning. The quality state has been pounded by 18 devastating Ø COLLECTIVE PLANNING BY THE FARMERS GROUP TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE: of water in respect of year-round salinity storms causing enormous loss of life and Collective planning by groups of farmers can improve crop performance, save money on purchase of distribution, the chemical and physical inputs and negotiate a better market price. Farmers should consider forming a group or society with property. neighbours to coordinate their farming activities through development of a common crop calendar, to characteristics of the soil and the availability of share information and to reduce disease risk and ensure good profits. The Department of Fisheries and the seed in the state are favorable for coastal Shrimp farmers consulted in the Aquaclimate National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture should assist local farmer groups to establish societies. shrimp aquaculture. The culture systems Project generally expressed that climate adopted in Andhra Pradesh vary greatly change is a serious threat and needs to be addressed in an integrated manner. An Focus Group Discussion at Chinnapuram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh depending on the inputs available in any particular region as well as on the investment expansive survey of 300 farmers indicated that capabilities of individual farmers. cyclones and floods were perceived as serious threats by all the farmers, while heavy rain The shrimp aquaculture industry in India has (91%), high temperature (89%), irregular season witnessed several important changes over the (79%), and drought (59%) were also seen as last two decades. On the east coast of India. threats by farmers. Cyclones, floods, high Shrimp farming was seriously affected by white temperatures, heavy rain and irregular season spot syndrome virus disease since 1993, leading are in order the most serious weather-related to a rapid decrease in the farming area and problems at present. In future, farmers expect production volume. From 1999, falling market high temperatures, floods, heavy rains and prices have continued to have serious impacts cyclones to be the main problems. 2 3 The seasonal changes observed by farmers are coldest temperatures occur in December and coordinated by the Network of Aquaculture necessary. The calamity relief compensation mainly temperature variations and delay in January. The wet season is from June to Centres in Asia-Pacific and funded by the fund should be made available at the earliest to monsoon. Cyclones are an infrequent but September with more rain in July and August Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway, through the attend the renovation works. potentially serious problem. If a cyclone occurs months. The occurrence of floods, cyclones and Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok. The Follow existing better management practices with heavy rainfall, then the economic loss can high tides are of unusual in the months of May project was undertaken by international for shrimp aquaculture be 100 per cent. and November. Crop activities such as pond partners Bioforsk (Norway), Akvaplan-niva preparation including repair of pond dykes, (Norway), Kasetsart University (Thailand) and Water quality in culture ponds changes due to Seasonal variations in general had effect on intake and sluice structures, draining and local case study partners. The local partners for seasonal variations and sudden shifts in shrimp molting, growth and production. An drying of ponds are undertaken in the dry the tiger shrimp case study were the Central weather parameters such as heavy rains or hot income loss of 100% could occur if these months January and February for the first crop Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture of the dry weather resulting in flood and drought. variations are observed at 40 days of culture, and in May and June for the second crop. During Indian Council of Agricultural Research, in Feed intake by animals will decrease when the 50% loss at 80 days of culture and 10% loss at 120 this time the weather is dry and allows the pond conjunction with National Centre for weather is hot or cloudy. In these situations, days of culture. Heavy rainfall is also associated bottom to dry faster. Water filling and bloom Sustainable Aquaculture, affiliated with the farmers should implement better management with disease outbreak, infrastructure damage development is during February and March for Marine Products Export Development Authority. practices (BMPs) recommended to maintain and leads to high unit production cost of water quality and shrimp health. This will the first crop and July to August/September for shrimp. An income loss of 70% could occur in the protect the crop and income of the farmer and the second crop. The harvesting time spreads summer crop if heavy rainfall is predicted after SHRIMP FARM ADAPTATION maintain their capacity to cope with climate over May and June for the first crop and 80 days of culture, and extra investment is change impacts. November to December for the second crop. MEASURES required for repairing dykes and ponds and Diseases are more common during the monsoon Due to seasonal variations in weather electricity charges. High temperatures favour Strengthen and increase the height of pond and post monsoon period. parameters, regular water quality and shrimp culture up to some extent but excessive dykes and farm bunds health monitoring helps to maintain the temperatures lead to slow growth rates, an Farming experience and membership in farmer Many small-scale farmers do not have farm optimum parameters in the pond environment, increase in culture period and cost of societies were found to have a significant